In grade 8, the North Dakota State Standards call for students to proficiently read grade-appropriate complex literary texts while further developing the ability to cite textual evidence to support their conclusions regarding theme, plot, and character development. In this process, students are learning how to summarize texts by evaluating key details in which the central idea or theme is located.
In their reading practices, students complement their ability to closely examine what the text directly says by learning to identify deeper meanings within the text by drawing inferences. Along with focusing on key ideas and details, eighth grade students also look at how both the structure and content of complex texts contribute to meaning, determining how word choice as well as sentence and paragraph structure influence and contribute to the unfolding of a plot and the development and elaboration of events or ideas.
These reading standards are tightly woven with other standards found within the strands of writing, language, and speaking and listening.
Calculation Method for Strands
Strands are larger groups of related standards. The Strand Grade is a calculation of all the related standards. Click on the standard name below each strand to access the learning targets and proficiency scales for each strand's related standards.
Strand (RL)